Should You Hire a Home Inspector for a New House in 2021? 

Homeowners who are building a new home often think that they don’t need new construction home inspections. However, there are reasons you need to hire a home inspector. Here are some reasons why hiring a home inspector could actually save you money in the long run.

Do I Really Need a Home Inspection With New Construction?

New home construction already requires a lot of inspections before the home can be bought and sold. However, new home inspections may be vital to your getting the home you wanted. In fact, home inspections in Cleveland can really be a time and money saver. You may be able to fix small problems during the home inspection process that could evolve into larger, more expensive problems. 

A home inspection is an evaluation of a home’s structure. Home inspectors start at the foundation and walls of a home and move to the flooring, plumbing, electrical work, and even the appliances. A home inspector will look at drainage on your property and the appliances the contractor or home builder has chosen. Your home inspection can allow you to fix or have repaired issues with your new home before you move in.

What Happens During a New Construction Home Inspection?

There are actually several home inspections a new home goes through before you can move in. The first inspection is also called the pre-pour inspection. At the pre-pour inspection, your home inspector will be looking for:

• Line placement for vent lines, drain lines and waste or sewage lines. Water lines are checked as well. 
• The plumbing and piping are checked. 
• Soil drainage and soil makeup are checked for erosion issues. The property is checked for any elevation issues as well.

If there are problems with the pre-pour inspection, the contractor cannot move forward until the home can clear the inspection.

Once the home passes the pre-pour inspection, the next inspection happens during the framing or drywall process. This inspection is just as important as the pre-pour inspection. During the framing inspection, a home inspector looks for:

• Bearing walls, beams and any other framing issues
• Nails, screws and studs
• Stairwells are viewed and tested
• Fire walls and fire retardants
• Any leaks, wet areas, or mold
• Plumbing and wiring are checked, as well as HVAC or duct work

The final inspection is the most thorough inspection, because the house is close to completion by the time the home is inspected. On the final inspection, here’s what inspectors are looking at:

• The roof and its gutters are looked at, as well as the chimney
• All of the exterior of the house is inspected, including any sheds, the garage, and any decks or patios
• The doors and windows are inspected
• Crawlspaces, the foundation and the basement is checked
• The HVAC system and duct work is checked
• All of the plumbing is checked, including sump pumps, toilet, sinks and bathtub
• All of the electrical system will be inspected, including circuit breakers and conductors
• An inspector will check the attic and the insulation
• All of the appliances will be checked as well

If your home passes all three inspections, you can be confident your home is ready for you to move in, without worrying you will need to have something fixed immediately. Not sure if your home has been checked fully? You can have a home inspection done on your own. Home inspections can be done at the request of the home buyer at any time to ensure the home is safe and in perfect condition. Contact us at Keystone Home Inspection for more information.